Can LED bulbs be safely used in motorcycles without additional modifications?

  • Thread starter Thread starter John1397
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Change Leds
AI Thread Summary
Using LED bulbs in motorcycles powered by AC from a magneto generator is possible, but caution is advised. LEDs require specific voltage ratings and may need additional components like diodes or current limiting resistors to function properly. If the LED units are rated for 6 VDC, they can be used, but modifications should be approached carefully to avoid safety hazards. It's important to select the right parts and consider the motorcycle's wiring and specifications. Overall, modifying motorcycle lighting systems should be done with expertise to prevent potential risks.
John1397
Messages
189
Reaction score
18
I have a small motorcycle and have changed the incandescent bulbs to LED. It seems the bulbs were powered by AC off the magneto generator and AC thru the rectifier powered the 6 volt battery.
Is it ok to run LED this way or should I add diodes like in option a or b of diagram?
 

Attachments

  • How To.jpg
    How To.jpg
    30.8 KB · Views: 465
  • C100.jpg
    C100.jpg
    61.4 KB · Views: 471
Engineering news on Phys.org
LEDs and their supporting circuitry, come in many forms. You can buy LEDs for AC or DC and for many voltage levels. You need to find one that fits the way you want to power it.
 
Option C.

Put a current limiting resistor in series with the LED. At least if this is an indicator light.

If it's a brighter light (headlamp, tail light, etc.) you might want to consider more energy efficient options.

You might also need a flyback diode (option A) if the line is noisy from the spark plug.
 
Option 0.

If your LED units are rated at 6 vdc, you are set. They'll just blink imperceptibly fast.

Your options A & B in your first image make little sense to me. Option A looks like a short circuit.

Is the second image a diagram of your motorcycle's wiring?
 
  • Like
Likes Jeff Rosenbury
On second thought, I have to agree with OmCheeto here. :blushing: You do not have the required background to be making this modification. The parts need to be selected with the right values. Additional parts may be needed (such as a blocking capacitor for the flyback if a flyback is needed). And then there's the safety issue of modifying something away from the manufacturer's specifications.

We really can't reverse engineer equipment we can't see when people may be harmed by our decisions.
 
While I was rolling out a shielded cable, a though came to my mind - what happens to the current flow in the cable if there came a short between the wire and the shield in both ends of the cable? For simplicity, lets assume a 1-wire copper wire wrapped in an aluminum shield. The wire and the shield has the same cross section area. There are insulating material between them, and in both ends there is a short between them. My first thought, the total resistance of the cable would be reduced...
Hi all I have some confusion about piezoelectrical sensors combination. If i have three acoustic piezoelectrical sensors (with same receive sensitivity in dB ref V/1uPa) placed at specific distance, these sensors receive acoustic signal from a sound source placed at far field distance (Plane Wave) and from broadside. I receive output of these sensors through individual preamplifiers, add them through hardware like summer circuit adder or in software after digitization and in this way got an...
I am not an electrical engineering student, but a lowly apprentice electrician. I learn both on the job and also take classes for my apprenticeship. I recently wired my first transformer and I understand that the neutral and ground are bonded together in the transformer or in the service. What I don't understand is, if the neutral is a current carrying conductor, which is then bonded to the ground conductor, why does current only flow back to its source and not on the ground path...
Back
Top